Once considered among the top light heavyweights in the world, Jardine netted key UFC victories over Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and Brandon Vera in a quick rise to the top of the promotion’s most-stacked division. But his wins were punctuated by bad knockout losses, and after four consecutive setbacks, he was given his walking papers.

However, two of the four setbacks – decision losses to former champ Quinton Jackson at UFC 96 and Matt Hamill at The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale – won him “Fight of the Night” honors. That’s an encouraging statistic to Jardine, a protege of famed trainer Greg Jackson and the owner of a new gym in his hometown of Albuquerque, N.M.

And more often than not, he’s delivered exciting fights, even if he often came up short.

“I just need to get on a winning streak and put a few (wins) together,” Jardine said. “That’s my goal now … to put a few wins together and get back in the UFC title picture, and I’m pretty confident I’m headed in the right direction.”

Jardine originally was supposed to meet Houston Alexander, who knocked him out cold at UFC 71 more than three years ago, at Shark Fights 13. But Alexander instead was slotted to face PRIDE, UFC and Strikeforce vet Rameau Thierry Sokodjou, and Jardine’s chance at revenge would have to wait.

That’s no bother to “The Dean of Mean,” who burst onto the national MMA scene as a cast member and semifinalist on “The Ultimate Fighter 2.”

“I thought it would have been the perfect time for [a rematch with Alexander], but for some reason, it just didn’t work out,” Jardine said. “But I’ve got to fight … a much more well-rounded guy.”

Prangley is also on the mend after a May loss to Strikeforce middleweight contender Tim Kennedy, as well as a technical draw three months prior at Strikeforce Challengers 6 that arose when he accidentally poked opponent Karl Amassou in the eye.

Before he hit the skids, Prangley enjoyed a five-fight win streak in mostly regional competition.

“Prangley is a much tougher fight,” Jardine said.

And with a card that includes fighters such as Alexander, Sokodjou, Paul Daley, Joey Villasenor and Brock Larson, among others, Jardine feels like he’s in good company.

“I’m really excited to be a part of it,” Jardine said of Saturday’s event. “A lot of people think [they went] out and put together a card of UFC veterans, but they didn’t just do that. All these fighters are extremely exciting fighters. All these guys … have never been in a boring fight.”

Jardine’s obligation to Shark Fights ends with Prangley, but so far he’s been impressed by the Texas-based promotion.

“I’m a very, very loyal guy, and the way Shark Fights has come through for me on this fight – if something in the future comes up, they’ll get first priority,” he said.

That said, there’s only one place he wants to end up: the octagon. UFC officials hasn’t given him a set number of wins to pick up before he returns, but any opportunity he gets will be with another UFC contract in mind.

“That’s top priority over everything,” Jardine said. “As long as I go and do what I’m supposed to do, everything will come to me.”

A total of 26 fighters got their chance to shine on Saturday as part of UFC 190 at Rio de Janeiro’s HSBC Arena. Now that UFC 190 is in the books, it’s time to commence MMAjunkie’s “Three Stars” ceremony.

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